Do You Know The Difference Between Hypothyroidism And Hyperthyroidism?
We have often heard of these two conditions but most likely we do not clearly know what the differences are between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Therefore, below we explain what the symptoms of each disease are, as well as its possible causes and the most common treatments recommended by specialists in the field.
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located above the windpipe. The endocrinology department of the Dexeus University Institute explains that its function is to produce and release thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triyodethyronine).
These hormones allow proper growth, in addition to participating in metabolic regulation and the maintenance of a large part of the body’s functions, such as the assimilation of nutrients, the regulation of heart rate and brain development.
Differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
The main of all the differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is clearly deduced from the names of the diseases. While the first indicates a low production of thyroid hormones, the second indicates an excess of them.
Hyperthyroidism
In the case of hyperthyroidism, there is an excessive function of the gland that also causes hormonal hypersecretion, according to data from the United States National Library of Medicine. It affects approximately 1% of the population, especially women between 30 and 40 years old.
The most obvious sign is the appearance of a goiter (enlarged thyroid) and the most common symptoms are tachycardia, weight loss, nervousness, tremors, insomnia, and excessive sweating.
Causes of hyperthyroidism
- Graves-Basedow disease.
- Tumors of the testicles or ovaries.
- Thyroid hormone medication abuse.
- Benign tumors of the thyroid or pituitary gland.
- Excessive consumption of foods with iodine or direct exposure to iodine.
- Thyroid inflammation from viral infections, medications, or after pregnancy.
Hyperthyroidism treatment
Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition. These include antithyroid drugs that inhibit the excessive production of hormones or beta-blockers that cancel the effects of thyroid hormone in the body, radioactive iodine, and surgery, where part or all of the gland is removed.
Other tips
There are no proven recommendations on the diet for hyperthyroidism, some specialists in natural medicine advise avoiding foods rich in iodine, as well as green tea and infusions of mint and lemon balm.
Hypothyroidism
3% of the population suffers from it, especially women over 50 years of age or postpartum. The US Department of Health and Human Services explains that this condition occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.
By decreasing the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood plasma, symptoms such as tiredness, muscle weakness, feeling cold, unexplained weight gain, and depression may appear.
There are also other more subtle symptoms that can help detect this difficult to diagnose disease: hoarse voice, pale and dry complexion, fine hair and hair loss, slow heart rate and heavier menstrual bleeding.
Causes of hypothyroidism
- Congenital defects.
- Lithium treatments.
- Chronic iodine deficiency.
- Thyroid removal.
- Different types of thyroiditis.
- Radiation therapies to the neck.
- Antithyroid medication (for example, with radioactive iodine).
- Hashimoto’s disease (the immune system itself attacks the thyroid).
- After childbirth (and generally after having also suffered hyperthyroidism).
Treatment of hypothyroidism
It will be the doctor who determines the best treatment for hypothyroidism in relation to your general condition and your needs. In general, it is treated with drugs that provide the body with the hormone it needs for its proper functioning.
Although there is no reliable scientific data that recommends a certain diet to those who suffer from this condition, it could be interesting to consume foods rich in iodine since, as an article in Endrocrinology and Metabolism highlights , this mineral is a fundamental component of thyroid hormones . Among them we highlight:
- Eggs.
- Quince.
- Almonds
- Iodized salt or sea salt.
- Cucumber, peas, watercress.
- Apricots, bananas, apples, figs.
- Blue fish, shellfish and marine foods and algae rich in iodine such as kelp or fucus seaweed.
Other tips
If we find it difficult to take the algae, which we recommend that they be ecological so that they do not contain toxic substances, we can choose to consume them in tablets. The “sea vegetables” not only provide us with iodine, but also other minerals and amino acids that are beneficial to the body.
Another option would be to prepare salt with seaweed. To do this, we should grind sea salt and the algae we choose, mix everything and keep it tightly closed. The salt will act as a preservative. We can use it in the same way as normal salt when cooking soups, stews, etc.
The key is in hormone production
Finally, we want to emphasize that the essential difference between the two diseases is given by the work done by the thyroid gland, in one case producing more hormones and in another, producing less.
If you notice a sudden and unexplained decrease or increase in weight, that is, without dieting, consult your doctor to be examined and verify that you do not have thyroid problems.
